Pogo

Jerome Sabbagh has pleasing and mellow tones on tenor and soprano. Most of Pogo is a quiet recording, one in which the solos and ensembles are thoughtful and laid-back rather than exciting. There are spots where the melodic music becomes rather sleepy, and it is not until Ben Monder takes a rockish solo on the fourth cut, the bluesy "Stand/i>/a>…
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Overview

Jerome Sabbagh has pleasing and mellow tones on tenor and soprano. Most of Pogo is a quiet recording, one in which the solos and ensembles are thoughtful and laid-back rather than exciting. There are spots where the melodic music becomes rather sleepy, and it is not until Ben Monder takes a rockish solo on the fourth cut, the bluesy "Stand Up," that the set comes to life. Even then, by the time "As One" rolls around, the introspective mood has returned in full force. Monder has some intense moments during his solo on the drone piece "Hamra," but Sabbagh never really cuts loose. Some listeners will find this set to be subtle and full of quiet invention; others will be bored. Certainly the musicianship is excellent, but one wishes that a fire had been lit under these players. Even their song titled "Eye of the Storme" could easily be used as a lullaby.